Looking Out For Number One

Most people seem to subscribe to the notion of looking out for number one.  They want to make sure they get their piece of the pie, even if no one else does..  It is their rights, their feelings, their needs that come before everyone one else's.  The video tape of Michael Brown, taken just before his encounter with officer Wilson, was of him taking a box of cigars from a convenience store and shoving the shop owner to the side.  He wanted some smokes and either didn't have the money or didn't want to spend the money to buy them, so he just took them.  His behavior, while making national headlines because his death promotes a narrative of white police abuse on Black America, is not uncommon, it is seen daily throughout America in people of all colors - selfishness.

His death, while tragic and so foolish at the same time, is also not uncommon.  Young black men die every day in this country, although not often by the hand of police (less than 1%); most often it is by the  hand of other young black men (93%).  Interestingly enough, most white men are killed by other white men as well.  It would seem the real race war is inside, not between, the races.  And the reason is less about prejudice and more about selfishness.  People want what they want and are willing to get it or take it regardless of who is hurt in the process.

The trait is common enough and perhaps even normal, but it is not good and should not be acceptable.  Self interest is the original sin that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven and man to be cast out of the Garden of Eden.  It is exactly opposite of why Christ came to the earth and to the cross.  Conversely, he "did not think his equality with God something to be used to his own adantage; rather, he make himself nothing...becoming obedient to death" (Phil 2:6-8).

The follower of Jesus Christ, therefore, will be one who does not "look out for number one," but instead looks out for the other one.  As the apostle Paul wrote, "I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you...who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  For everyone looks out for their own interests...But you know that Timothy has proved himself" (Phil 2:19-22).  Unlike the average man of the world, Timothy, a man of God, cared more about serving others than being self-serving.

Looking out for number is choosing a path other than Jesus took (path of life) and instead choosing the one Satan calls us to (path of death) (Matt 7:13-14).  Death is the end result of following that path, not particularly at the hands of a police offier and not necessarily by thugs or punks with guns; it may not come until the Day of Judgment itself, but it will come unless you choose a different path.

Moses put it this way, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life life, so that you and your children might live" (Deut 30:19).  If you truly want to look out for number one, you should first look out for the other one.  Jus' Sayn.